In this scenario, the project manager is facing a delay from a supplier that could impact a key project milestone. The first step should be to communicate with the vendor to explore possible solutions. This could include asking if the vendor can produce a minimally sufficient quantity of the key component in time to meet the project's immediate needs12. This approach allows the project to stay on track while also addressing the supplier's production challenges. It's important to note that this is a short-term solution and the project manager will need to continue to work with the supplier to resolve the longer-term production issues. References: Project Procurement Management - A Quick Guide, 7 factors to consider when working with project suppliers